Hunan Wok

6812 Northwest Expressway
Oklahoma City, OK
(405) 722-8996

Note: Hunan Wok was closed from Fall 2010 until Feb. 2011 for remodeling, but has now
reopened.

When entering Hunan Wok a large buffet is immediately noticeable, with possibly the largest selection
in Oklahoma City. Although I am not a fan of Chinese buffets, and for the most part I do not think they
serve "real" Chinese food, the buffet at Hunan Wok is a step in the right direction with no MSG and
enough variety that flavorful items can be found. A Mongolian barbecue is available, something that I
think vastly improves a normal buffet. I have never seen the buffet closed during any hours the
restaurant is open, and food seems to be refreshed fairly often.

Unlike many buffet restaurants, however, Hunan Wok has a fairly extensive menu with interesting
dishes. I have talked to the staff on several occasions and I find them to be quite knowledgeable about
Chinese cuisine, purposely introducing more traditional Chinese dishes in addition to ones that are
most familiar to Americans. They will recommend dishes, and will not insult your intelligence by
saying "everything is good."

Bean curd family style with black bean sauce

One item I think is very good is the Bean Curd Family Style modified to be a spicy Hunan
style dish. When made with black bean sauce, though, I think it is even better, and is more like the
dishes I find in "authentic" Chinese restaurants. For a while I was on the hunt for the best family style
tofu dish, and I found Hunan Wok's to be one of the better ones. I have complimented the owners and
staff that this dish tasted very authentic, and they have assured me that there are even more
authentic offerings on the menu such as Moo Shu Pork, Orange Peel Chicken, or any of the shrimp
dishes (especially Szechuan Shrimp).

Moo shu pork at Hunan Wok

One of the recommended dishes, Moo Shu Pork, was a flavorful mixture of meat and
vegetables in a dark sauce on pancakes that were meant to be rolled up like tortillas with the moo
shu inside. I thought this dish was very good, although it still did not break the barrier for me
between "popular" Chinese food and the more traditional food that the Chinese themselves might eat
at home for daily meals (by "popular" I do not mean unauthentic, only that it has become widely
available on U.S. menus). For "popular" food, though, this was pretty good.

Noodle soup with chicken and vegetables

Noodle Soup is an item that makes a great meal when I have an average appetite, but
comes at a well below average price. Although it is more appropriate for lunch or a light dinner, it
is a good way to get a balanced meal of chicken, noodles, and vegetables with a rich flavor. I find
this to be one of the most "Chinese" tasting menu items, and I like the noodle soup here better than
at the majority of other Chinese restaurants.

The hot and sour soup is usually very good; it is one of the ones I enjoy most in OKC.

I appreciate the fact that they are trying to give the public something besides the typical buffet. The
prices are low enough that I do not mind experimenting with different dishes. So far I have had several
good ones.